Sound modifier



A. V.- BODINE SOUND vMODIFIER Oct'. -11', 1927.

Filed May 24, 1924 2 WEA/ron A L FRED M500/NL' Patented oa. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,645,081 PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED v. BOBINE, or BEIDGEPOET, CONNECTICUT, AssIoNoa TO-DICTAPIIONE oon- PORATION, or BEIDGEPOET, CONNECTICUT, CORPORATION OE NEW YORK.'

SOUND MODIFIER.

Application led May 24,

This invention relates to sound-modifiers for sound producing devices, such as telephones and loud speakers; for sound ,reproducing devices, such as phonographs; and for sound conveying devices, such as speaking tubes. I

In the accompanying drawings, 1n whiclf the invention is shown as applied to the sound-box of a dictation machine of the transcribing type:

Figure 1 is an elevation and shows one embodiment of the present' invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the soundmodifier shown in Fig. 1, on line 2 2 Fig. 1, looking from the right.

Fig. 3 is asimilar sectional v1ewtaken on the line 2'-2 of Fig. 1, looking from the left.

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the modifier shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. t

' Fig. 7 is a disassembled perspective v1ew of the parts of the sound modifier shown in the other figures.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, lthe carriage 10 of a transcribing dictation machine is provided with an opening 11 into which lits the sound-box 12 carrying a diaphragm 13 having a Suitable connection 14 to a stylus adapted to engage a phonograph record. The vibrations of the diaphragm produced by the phonograph records, produces in the sound-box 12, a succession of sounds substantially the same as those which were recorded by the phonograph record. These4 sounds are transmitted through a nozzle 15 provided on the sound-box 12 and ultimately reach the Operators ears through hearing devices, comprising sound-conveying tubes and ear-engaging parts.

Th'e volume of the sound produced.l by the diaphragm 13 and transmitted to the operatqr with different records varies in intensity, and volume in accordance with the intensity or the volume of the sound originally redorded. It is, therefore, advantageous to provide a modifier to vary the volume or inteiisity of the sound, .so that the actual solind received by the operator may be substantially uniform for'diierent records, by

` merely adjusting the modifier.

It has been found, in providing modifying 1924. seran No. 715,59a. y

devices, that when the sound-passage is merely reduced in area to reduce the volume, the soundv is stiied or muied, and Otherwise changed in characteristics. However, this muffled effect'is not produced when the sound is modified by allowing a portion of it to escape. Yet, when the sound is thusl modified solely by allowing a portion of it to escape, the resulting sound has a nasal characteristic. A

I have found that by combining meansfor modifying the sound by changing the crosssect1 on of the soundassagel and meansv for modifying the sound y varying the opening of an escape-passage, the disadvantages of both methods of sound modication are practically eliminated.

To. this end, I provide upon the nozzle 15, a. houslng 16 having a socket 17 to receive the nozzle 15 and provide thehousing with a sound-transmitting vpassage 18 and a sound escape-passage 19. The sound-transmitting passage 18 1s provided with a nozzle 20 adapted to receive a tube 21 for conveying the sound to the ears of the user,- while the sound-escape passage leads directly to the atmosphere. The openings 18 and 19 are directly opposite each other and at right angles lto these is a passage 22 leading to the socket l17 which fits upon the nozzle 15."

The passage of sound between the opening 22 and the openings 18 and 19 is controlled by means of a controller or gate 23 whichis preferably cylindricalfin form and which is rotatably mountedin a hole 24 provided in the housing 16 to receive it. The gate 23 is Lprovided with a finger-piece 25 by meansof which it may be rotated to control the position of a sound-passage 26 provided therein. The` vane 27 directly opposite the passage 26 is equal to about one-half the diameter of the gate 23 and since the passages, 18 and 19 are exactly opposite each other, the vane 27 Will close one passage as it opens the other. For instance as seen in Fig. 3, the passage 26 through the gate allows communication between the escapepassage 19 and the' sound-passage 22, while the vane 27 closes the sound-transmitting passage 18 and would preventall sound from being transmitted through the passage 18 were -it not for the fact that the vane 27 is provided with a circumferential bleedgroove 28 which allows a slight amount. of

sound to pass and reach the operators ears.

'position shown in Fig. 2, sound is allowed to pass through the transmitting passage 18 at about one-half the full volume. The other half of the sound is also allowed to escape through the passage 19 as shown by the tailless arrows in Fig. 2.

When the gate 23 is rotated to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, a maximum volume of the sound is transmitted through the passage 18 to the operators ears. while only a slight amount is allowed to escape through the bleed-groove 28. In practice, the operator starts to adjust the modier with the gate in the position shown in Fig. 2, and then gradually rotates the gate by means of the finger-piece "25 until the volume of the sound isv satisfactory for the best work. V

The upper portion of the housing 16 is provided with a threaded aperture 29 adapted to receive a screw 30 having a stud 31 at its end, which is adapted to engage a segmental groove 32 provided in the gate 23. As shown in Fig. 3, the bottom of the segmental groove 32engages Lthe stud 31 of the screw 30 which limits the movement of the gate between its extreme open and closed positions. In addition to this, the stud 31 serves to retain the gate in position' `in the hole 24 as shown in Fig. 5.

i of the gate 23. By pressing the wall of the In assembling the device, it is merely necessary to place the gate 23 in the hole 24 and adjust'the screw 30 into position. To take up any looseness which may exist between the wall of the segmental groove 32 and the stud 31, and for the purpose of holdingthe gate 23 in adjusted position, a spring 33 1s interposed' between the end 34 of the gate 23 and the wall 35 at the end ofthe opening 24. This spring 33 is held in rope;` position by'a stud 36 providedon t e end groove 32 against the stud 31, the spring- 33 produces sufficient friction to hold the gate 23 1n adjusted^position against accidental displacement. s

The? housing 16 of the modifier is secured tothe nozzle 15 of the -sound1box b means of a screw 37 threaded therein an engaging the nozzle 15. l

While the presentinvention has been' shown as applied to the sound-box of a dicta'- tion machine, it is' also applicable to any other device in which sound is produced or transmitted. For instance, it may beY used in a loud-speaker for wired or wireless telephony; in the tone-arm or at the sound-box vof an ordinary phonograph, instead of employlng `shutters and sound-bathing devices the bottom thereo at the outlet of the horn; and in the soundconduit of speaking tubes.

l Variations and modifications may be Iliade within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

. Having now described the invention, what justable vane in adjusted position intermediate its limits of movement.

2. A sound modifier comprising a housing; sound-transmitting means in the housing; sound-escape means in the housing, opposite the sound-transmitting means; and a rotatable gate having a single vane adapted to simultaneously control the sound.- escape means and the sound-transmitting means.

3. A sound modifier comprising a housing; a rotatable gate mounted within the housing; and means mounted within the housing adapted to engage a segmental groove provided in the gate and limit tle movement of the tgate by engagement with 4. In a dictation machine, a sound-box; sound-conveying means on the soundfbox; and means mounted on the sound-box and located between the sound-box and the rstnamed means for allowing portion of the sound produce-dv by the sound-box to escape before it reaches the'sound-conveying means.

5. In a dictation machine, a sound-box', sound-conveying means on the sound-box;

and means mounted on the sound-boX for simultaneously controlling the passage of sound to the sound-conveying means an controlling the escape of4 the sound before it reaches the sound-conveying means.

6. In a dictation machine, a sound-box;.

sound-conveying means on the sound-box;

and manually operable means mounted on the' sound-box and located between the sound-box and the first-named means for allowing a ortion of the sound produced by the soun -box to escape before it reaches the soundconveying' means.

-7. In a dictation machine, a sound-box; sound-conveying 'means on the. sound-box; and manually operable means mounted on the sound-box for simultaneously controlling the passage of sound to the sound-conveying means and controlling the escape of the sound before -it reaches the sound-conveying means@ 8. In a sound-modifyin device, soundtransmitt-ing means; -soun -escape means;

and adjustable means for controlling the sound-escape means and the sound-transmitting means, said means being shaped to always allow passage of some sound through the sound-escape means. l

9. In a sound-modifying device, soundtransmitting means; sound-escape means; and adjustable means for controlling the sound-scape means and the sound-transmitting means, said means being shaped to' always allow passage of some sound through the sound-transmitting means.

l0. A sound modifier comprising a support; sound-transmitting means in the support; sound-escape means 4in the support; a vane adapted to either close or open soundescape means and simultaneously either open or close the sound-transmitting means; and

a by-pass between the vane and the support to permit passage of some sound through said sound-escape means when the vane is 1n' maximum closed -position with relation to the sound-escape means. v

1l. A sound modifier comprising a support; sound-transmitting means in the support; sound-escape means in the support; a Vane adapted to either close or open the sound-escape means and simultaneously either open or close the sound-transmitting means; and a by-pass between the vane and the support to permit passage of some sound through said sound-transmitting means when the vane is in maximum closed position with relation to the sound-escape nieans.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, this 22nd day of May, 1924.

ALFRED V. BODINE. 

